Article carrier and blank therefor

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The article carrier 90; 290 comprises a pair of spaced panels including a cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 and an engaging panel 12; 112; 212 . A male locking tab 80; 180; 280; 380; 480; 580; 680; 580 formed from the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 connects the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 with the engaging panel 12; 112; 212 . The locking tab 80; 180; 280; 380; 480; 580; 680; 580 is hingedly connected to the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 along a fold line 81; 181; 281; 381; 481; 581 . The fold line 81; 181; 281; 381; 481; 581 lies upon a notional line n-n which extends obliquely with respect to at least one of an end edge M 1 , M 2 and a side edge 19; 119 of the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254.

1 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the article carrier comprising spaced apart panels including an upper panel and a lower panel, the article carrier comprising a locking tab formed from the upper panel, the locking tab providing a retaining device securing the upper panel in position above the lower panel, wherein at least a portion of the locking tab is disposed between the upper panel and the lower panel to maintain a spacing therebetween. 
     
     
         2 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking tab protrudes downward through an opening in the lower panel such that the locking tab engages the perimeter of the opening in the lower panel. 
     
     
         3 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper panel comprises a composite cover panel formed from an upper covering flap and a lower covering flap, the upper covering flap and the lower covering flap at least partially overlapping, wherein the upper covering flap comprises the locking tab and the lower covering flap comprises an opening defined by one or more female tabs. 
     
     
         4 . An article carrier, according to  claim 3 , wherein the locking tab engages with at least one of the female tabs. 
     
     
         5 . An article carrier, according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the female tabs protrudes downward through an opening in the lower panel. 
     
     
         6 . An article carrier, according to  claim 4 , wherein the locking tab engages a perimeter of an opening in the lower panel and engages a recessed portion of at least one of the female tabs. 
     
     
         7 . An article carrier, according to  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the one or more female tabs is disposed between the upper panel and the lower panel to maintain a spacing therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking tab comprises one or more separation elements defining an engaging edge of an engaging portion, the engaging edge being arranged to engage a first surface of the lower panel. 
     
     
         9 . An article carrier, according to  claim 8 , wherein the one or more separation elements define a support edge of a wing portion, the support edge being arranged to engage a second surface of the lower panel, the second surface of the lower panel opposes the first surface of the lower panel. 
     
     
         10 . An article carrier, according to  claim 8 , wherein the one or more separation elements are provided by a cut line. 
     
     
         11 . An article carrier, according to  claim 10 , wherein the cut line is obliquely oriented with respect to the hinged connection between locking tab and the upper panel. 
     
     
         12 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking tab is obliquely oriented with respect to the upper and lower panels. 
     
     
         13 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper panel comprises a composite cover panel formed from an upper covering flap and a lower covering flap, the upper covering flap and the lower covering flap at least partially overlapping, wherein the upper covering flap comprises a first male locking tab and the lower covering flap comprises an opening defined by a second male locking tab. 
     
     
         14 . An article carrier, according to  claim 13 , wherein the second male locking tab is equal to or greater in dimension than the first male locking tab. 
     
     
         15 . An article carrier, according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking tab asymmetric about a notional line bisecting a hinged connection between the locking tab and the panel to which it is hinged. 
     
     
         16 . An article carrier, according to  claim 15 , wherein the locking tab comprises a pair of shoulders providing engaging edges, a first one of the engaging edges being disposed in closer proximity to the hinged connection than the second one of the engaging edges. 
     
     
         17 . An article carrier, according to  claim 13 , wherein the first male locking tab is hingedly connected to the upper covering flap by a first hinged connection having a first fold resistance and the second male locking tab is hingedly connected to the lower covering flap by a second hinged connection having a second fold resistance, the second fold resistance being smaller in magnitude than the first fold resistance. 
     
     
         18 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the article carrier comprising a tubular structure formed in part by a cover panel, an engaging panel, and opposed side panels, wherein the carrier comprises an end closure structure for forming a rigid hinged connection along at least one of upper and lower end edges of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         19 . An article carrier, according to  claim 18 , wherein the carrier comprises a gusset provided by a pair of hinged panels connecting between a first end flap hingedly connected to the cover panel and a second end flap hingedly connected to the engaging panel. 
     
     
         20 . An article carrier, according to  claim 19 , wherein the second end flap comprises an end panel portion hingedly connected to the engaging panel and a top flap portion hingedly connected to the end panel portion. 
     
     
         21 . An article carrier, according to  claim 20 , wherein one of the pair of hinged panels is hingedly connected to the top flap portion. 
     
     
         22 . An article carrier, according to  claim 21 , wherein the other one of the pair of hinged panels is hingedly connected to the first end flap and wherein the first end flap is arranged to be disposed in face contacting relationship with the cover panel. 
     
     
         23 . An article carrier, according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the pair of hinged panels is defined, at least in part, by a pair of divergently arranged fold lines. 
     
     
         24 . An article carrier, according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the pair of hinged panels is defined, at least in part, by a pair of parallel fold lines. 
     
     
         25 . An article carrier, according to  claim 22 , wherein the other one of the pair of hinged panels is defined, at least in part, by a pair of parallel first fold lines, and wherein the first fold lines are obliquely oriented with respect to at least one second fold line hingedly connecting the cover panel to the engaging panel. 
     
     
         26 . An article carrier, according to  claim 22 , wherein the other one of the pair of hinged panels is defined, at least in part, by a pair of parallel first fold lines, and wherein the first fold lines are obliquely oriented with respect to at least one third fold line hingedly connecting the second end flap to the engaging panel. 
     
     
         27 . An article carrier, according to  claim 19 , wherein first end flap is hingedly connected to the cover panel by a fourth fold line, the fourth fold line being divergently arranged with respect to a fifth fold line hingedly connecting the second end flap to the engaging panel. 
     
     
         28 . An article carrier, according to  claim 19 , wherein first end flap is hingedly connected to the cover panel by a fourth fold line, the fourth fold line being obliquely oriented with respect to at least one second fold line hingedly connecting the cover panel to the engaging panel. 
     
     
         29 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the article carrier comprising a tubular structure formed in part by a cover panel, an engaging panel, and opposed side panels, wherein the carrier comprises a gusseted end closure structure for forming a beam structure along at least one end of the tubular structure. 
     
     
         30 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the article carrier comprising a plurality of panels forming a tubular structure, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel and a bottom panel, wherein the carrier comprises a first end flap hingedly connected to the top panel and a second end flap hingedly connected to the bottom panel, and wherein a gusset, provided by a pair of hinged panels, connects between the first end flap and the second end flap. 
     
     
         31 . An article carrier, according to  claim 30 , wherein the pair of hinged panels is hingedly connected to a first portion of the second end flap arranged substantially parallel to the top panel. 
     
     
         32 . An article carrier, according to  claim 31 , wherein the first portion of the second end flap is hingedly connected to a second portion of the second end flap, the second portion of the second end flap extending between the top panel and the bottom panel. 
     
     
         33 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the article carrier comprising a main panel having an article retention structure and a second panel hingedly connected to the main panel by a fold line, the article retention structure comprising an engaging tab located proximate the fold line between the main panel and the second panel, wherein the engaging tab is defined, at least in part, by a pair of non-linear side edges defined by cuts each having a first end on the distal end edge of the engaging tab, the cuts extending from their respective first ends toward the fold line and turning away from each other as they approach the fold line, while maintaining a space from the fold line, wherein the cuts terminate at respective second ends which are spaced apart from the fold line. 
     
     
         34 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the article carrier comprising spaced apart panels including a cover panel and an engaging panel, the article carrier comprising a male locking tab, formed from the cover panel, for connecting the cover panel with the engaging panel, wherein the locking tab is hingedly connected to the cover panel along a notional fold line which extends obliquely with respect to at least one of an end edge and a side edge of the cover panel. 
     
     
         35 . An article carrier, according to  claim 34 , wherein the engaging panel has at least one article-engaging structure for engaging a part of the at least one article. 
     
     
         36 . An article carrier, according to  claim 34 , wherein the locking tab comprises opposed shoulders spaced apart from the hinged connection between the locking tab and the cover panel. 
     
     
         37 . An article carrier, according to  claim 34 , wherein the locking tab forms a cushioning flap of a handle structure. 
     
     
         38 . An article carrier, according to  claim 34 , wherein the locking tab defines a first opening in the cover panel to which it is hinged, the first opening being disposed in registry with a second opening in the engaging panel. 
     
     
         39 . An article carrier, according to  claim 38 , wherein the first and second openings together defining a passage through the spaced apart panels. 
     
     
         40 . An article carrier, according to  claim 38 , wherein the second opening limits travel of the locking tab. 
     
     
         41 . An article carrier, according to  claim 40 , wherein an edge of the engaging panel provided by the second opening provides an end stop with which the locking tab is engageable. 
     
     
         42 . An article carrier, according to  claim 34 , wherein the locking tab comprises a bridging region extending across a gap or void between the cover panel and the engaging panel. 
     
     
         43 . An article carrier, according to  claim 42 , wherein the bridging region is defined between the notional fold line and shoulders provided by the locking tab. 
     
     
         44 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the article carrier comprising an engaging panel having article engaging apertures for receiving upper portions of articles, a cover panel disposed at a position spaced above the engaging panel, and a connecting structure for connecting the cover panel with the engaging panel, wherein the engaging panel and the cover panel are formed from separate blanks respectively. 
     
     
         45 . An article carrier, according to  claim 44 , wherein the connecting structure comprises a first connecting element for securing at least one first region of the cover panel to the articles. 
     
     
         46 . An article carrier, according to  claim 44 , wherein the connecting structure comprises a second connecting element for securing at least one second region of the cover panel to the engaging panel. 
     
     
         47 . An article carrier, according to  claim 44 , wherein the connecting structure comprises a first connecting element for securing marginal regions of the cover panel to the articles. 
     
     
         48 . An article carrier, according to  claim 44 , wherein the connecting structure comprises a second connecting element for securing a medial region of the cover panel to the engaging panel. 
     
     
         49 . An article carrier, according to  claim 44 , further comprising an article stabilizing structure extending downward from the engaging panel. 
     
     
         50 . An article carrier, according to  claim 49 , wherein the article stabilizing structure is hingedly connected to the engaging panel. 
     
     
         51 . An article carrier, according to  claim 49 , wherein the article stabilizing structure encircles a group of articles being packaged. 
     
     
         52 . An article carrier, according to  claim 44 , further comprising an article stabilizing structure connected to the engaging panel and extending from the engaging panel in a direction away from the cover panel. 
     
     
         53 . An article carrier, according to  claim 44 , wherein the article stabilizing structure encircles a group of articles being packaged. 
     
     
         54 . An article carrier, according to  claim 44 , wherein the connecting structure comprises a locking tab having shoulders spaced apart from a hinged connection between the locking tab and the panel to which it is hinged, the shoulders engaging a second panel spaced apart from said panel to which it is hinged. 
     
     
         55 . An article carrier, according to  claim 44 , wherein the cover panel comprises marginal regions folded about shoulders of the articles forming an article group being packaged. 
     
     
         56 . An article carrier, according to  claim 44 , wherein the cover panel comprises a pair of covering flaps each of which is hingedly connected to the engaging panel by a respective side panel. 
     
     
         57 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the article carrier comprising spaced apart panels including a cover panel and an engaging panel, the article carrier comprising a male locking tab formed from the cover panel for connecting the cover panel with the engaging panel, wherein the locking tab is hingedly connected to the cover panel along a fold line, and wherein the fold line lies upon a notional line which extends obliquely with respect to at least one of an end edge and a side edge of the cover panel. 
     
     
         58 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a cover panel and an engaging panel arranged to be spaced apart in a setup carrier, the blank further comprising a male locking tab formed from the cover panel for connecting the cover panel and the engaging panel, wherein the locking tab is hingedly connected to the cover panel along a notional fold line which extends obliquely with respect to at least one of an end edge and a side edge of the cover panel. 
     
     
         59 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a cover panel and an engaging panel arranged to be spaced apart in a setup carrier, the blank further comprising a male locking tab formed from the cover panel for connecting the cover panel and the engaging panel, wherein the locking tab is hingedly connected to the cover panel along a fold line, and wherein the fold line lies upon a notional line which extends obliquely with respect to at least one of an end edge and a side edge of the cover panel. 
     
     
         60 . A pair of blanks for forming an article carrier, comprising a first blank having an engaging panel comprising article engaging apertures for receiving upper portions of articles, and a second blank separate from the first blank, the second blank comprising a cover panel, configured to be disposed at a position spaced above the engaging panel in a set up condition, the pair of blanks comprising a connecting structure for connecting the cover panel and the engaging panel. 
     
     
         61 . A pair of blanks, according to  claim 60 , wherein the second blank comprises an additional connecting structure for connecting the cover panel to the articles. 
     
     
         62 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a pair of panels arranged to be spaced apart in a setup carrier, the pair of panels including an upper panel and a lower panel, the blank comprising a locking tab formed from the upper panel, the locking tab providing a retaining device for securing the upper panel in position above the lower panel in a locked position, wherein at least a portion of the locking tab is disposed between the upper panel and the lower panel to maintain a spacing therebetween in the locked position. 
     
     
         63 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a cover panel, an engaging panel, and opposed side panels for forming a tubular structure, wherein the blank comprises a gusseted end closure structure for forming a rigid hinged connection along at least one of upper and lower end edges of the tubular structure in a set up carrier. 
     
     
         64 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a cover panel, an engaging panel, and opposed side panels for forming a tubular structure, wherein the blank comprises a gusseted end closure structure for forming a beam structure along at least one end of the tubular structure in a set up carrier 
     
     
         65 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel and a bottom panel, wherein the blank comprises a first end flap hingedly connected to the top panel and a second end flap hingedly connected to the bottom panel, and wherein a gusset, provided by a pair of hinged panels, hingedly connects between the first end flap and the second end flap. 
     
     
         66 . A blank for forming an article carrier, the blank comprising a main panel having an article retention structure and a second panel hingedly connected to the main panel by a fold line, the article retention structure comprising an engaging tab located proximate the fold line between the main panel and the second panel, wherein the engaging tab comprises a pair of non-linear side edges defined by cuts each having a first end on the distal end edge of the engaging tab, the cuts extending from their respective first ends toward the fold line and turning away from each other as they approach the fold line, while maintaining a space from the fold line, wherein the cuts terminate at respective second ends which are spaced apart from the fold line. 
     
     
         67 . An article carrier for engaging at least one article, the article carrier comprising spaced apart panels including an upper panel and a lower panel, and a handle structure formed in part from the upper panel and in part from the lower panel, the handle structure comprising a cushioning flap, formed from the upper panel and folded into a gap between the upper and lower panels, wherein the cushioning flap provides a locking tab, the locking tab provides a retaining device securing the upper panel in position above the lower panel. 
     
     
         68 . An article carrier, according to  claim 67 , wherein the locking tab is hingedly connected to the cushioning flap by a fold line. 
     
     
         69 . An article carrier, according to  claim 67 , wherein the locking tab comprises one or more separation elements defining an engaging edge of an engaging portion, the engaging edge being arranged to engage a first surface of the lower panel. 
     
     
         70 . An article carrier, according to  claim 69 , wherein the one or more separation elements define a support edge of a wing portion of the cushioning flap, the support edge being arranged to engage a second surface of the lower panel, the second surface of the lower panel opposes the first surface of the lower panel, the second surface faces towards the upper panel. 
     
     
         71 . An article carrier, according to  claim 69 , wherein the one or more separation elements are provided by a cut line.